Jamaica government destroys 2,000 guns

Police officers carry seized handguns, zip-tied into bundles, to a waiting truck at the police armory, in Kingston, Jamaica on Feb. 7. Roughly 2,000 seized guns were transported to a local cement factory and melted down by police and UN officials.

David Mcfadden / AP

Handguns seized by police sit piled together on the floor of the police armory in Kingston, Jamaica Feb. 7. Roughly 2,000 seized guns were zip-tied into bundles, transported to a local cement factory and melted down by police and UN officials.

Roughly 2,000 firearms were melted down in a blazing furnace Tuesday as part of an effort designed to combat gun trafficking and corruption in Jamaica while reducing violent crime.

Police, government and U.N. officials destroyed pistols and revolvers by pitching them into a kiln glowing bright orange at a cement factory in the capital of Kingston. Most of the guns were decommissioned or seized in police operations over the years.

"The removal will help to reduce the risks of these weapons being possibly diverted back into the illicit trade," National Security Minister Peter Bunting said at the Jamaica Constabulary Force armory.